Element 3 funding

FAQs will be refreshed regularly to reflect the queries being raised by schools 

What will our Element 3 funding allocation be for the Summer Term 2026? 

Allocations for Summer 2026 will be confirmed before the end of the financial year (March 2026).  We will aim to keep allocations proportionally consistent with previous terms: 

• Autumn Term: 4/12ths of the full-year allocation 
• Spring Term: 3/12ths 
• Summer Term: 5/12ths 

What happens if children with high needs leave or join our setting during the year? 

•  Liaise with the child's previous or new school to support a robust transition. 
•  All arrangements will involve parent/carers  
• Review the school's local offer via the setting's Graduated Provision Map (GPM) reflecting on provision as a whole to ensure effective and efficient use of resources  
• Complete and submit an Identification of Needs in Educational Settings (INDES) for the child or young person (CYP), using the INDES webform to notify the LA that this child has left or is joining your setting 
• If changes to provision are required: 
  • Update the GPM internally 
  • Discuss required changes to your provision at your next Team Around the School (TAS) meeting.   
  • Following a conversation with your team around the school, a recommendation may be made for your GPM to be reviewed at the next Element 3 Funding Panel 

What happens if a child at our setting receives a new final EHCP or if their EHCP provision changes? 

As the child will already be receiving SEN provision detailed in their SEN support plan, there should be little difference in provision outlined in section F of the child's new Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).  

Should this not be the case, or if there is a significant change following an EHCP review, a provision discussion needs to take place within the Team Around the School or, if more urgent due to the scale of change and the timing of your next meeting, you can contact your TAS via the Inclusion and SEND and inclusion support lineon 0333 313 7165. 

A parent has asked how much money the school gets for their child with SEND?  How do I answer this? 

Relationships based practice that includes regular conversations with parents and carers regarding their child should help to focus attention on ensuring the child's needs are accurately assessed and provision is collaboratively planned that appropriately supports their needs; the impact of provision is regularly reviewed as part of the assess, plan, do, review cycle.  

Schools are legally required to deliver the support outlined in a child's Education, Health and Care Plan. However, they are not obligated to disclose the financial breakdown behind that provision. 

I have made changes to my Graduated Provision Map and discussed at my Team around the School meeting.  How do I request a review to my setting's Element 3 funding allocation? 

Following a provision discussion with your Team around the School where a review of your Element 3 funding allocation has been recommended by the team, please email your updated Graduated Provision Map to [email protected] with the subject heading: Review of Element 3 funding allocation request. Requests will be triaged to determine priority, considering the school's existing funding, current capacity, and significant change in the needs of the cohort. 

How often are the Element 3 funding review panels? 

Funding panels will be held every half term with feedback provided within 3-4 weeks of the panel for settings whose cohort funding has been reviewed. If a request is not agreed, or only partially agreed, the feedback will clearly explain the reasons and offer suggestions for how the school might meet the identified needs using existing resources. Feedback will also be shared with the Team Around the School.   

My submitted GPM has been considered at a moderation panel and I have received the outcome.  What do I do if I would like to discuss the outcome of the moderation further? 

Please send an email to [email protected] explaining that you would like to discuss the outcome of your Graduated Provision Map (GPM) moderation.  Someone will then be in touch to confirm the next steps to take.

My Team Around the School (TAS) is not for another term and I need to make significant changes to my Graduated Provision Map before this time.  How do I request a review to my setting's Element 3 funding allocation? 

We understand that circumstances can change quickly—particularly when a pupil joins your setting with very high medical needs, or a child in your setting receives a new, unexpected diagnosis or change to their medical condition. For example, a child may have been unable to attend school while receiving treatment and now requires some additional, short-term support to reintegrate back into school.

Initially, please discuss the child's needs - specific to their diagnosis and or how they will access their learning - with them (where appropriate) and their family. As far as possible, create a support plan covering up to half a term showing intended attendance over that period and the provision needed to enable the child to access school. This plan should be reviewed and updated regularly.

The school will then need to determine the impact this provision will have on its capacity and any changes or adaptations that will need to be made. Following this, if you believe your Graduated Provision Map (GPM) requires urgent revision before your next scheduled Team Around the School (TAS) meeting, you can contact your team via the Inclusion and SEND support line, 0333 313 7165, with the relevant details. The first step will be a conversation to explore whether the provision can be adapted within your existing resources. If, following that discussion, it is agreed that a solution cannot be found within your current allocation, the TAS may invite you to submit a revised GPM for further consideration. This process ensures that schools can respond to emerging needs while maintaining a fair and consistent approach to Element 3 funding.